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What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Well, in that case, sure.” She holds up a finger. “But I’m buying you breakfast and a coffee.”
I open my mouth and she glares at me, crossing her arms. “No arguments or I won’t go.” She taps her foot, and I can’t hold back my laughter any longer.
I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. It’s a deal. Don’t kick my ass or anything.”
Her posture relaxes, and she immediately starts laughing and looks down at herself, then at me. “Umm… I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
I laugh with her and my eyes rove over her. “I don’t know. Just because you are tiny, doesn’t mean you aren’t mighty.”
She flexes her bicep and giggles. I pretend to be scared and she laughs harder.
“I’m glad you are more relaxed. I’m sorry if I scared you. I just want you to be vigilant.”Shit, that was the wrong thing to say. Her expression immediately falls, and I can’t help myself. I step forward, my hands going to her arms, and I see her wince slightly. I slide my hands away, and then I see it—the faint bruising on her upper arms where William gripped her. “Oh shit, Irelynn, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” I lean over, examining them. The marks perfectly resemble the outline of his fingers.
She lifts her arms, looking at them. Taking a deep breath, she says, “Yeah, I didn’t notice them until I was changing, and my shirt slid over them…” Her gaze drops and her lip quivers.
I pull her gently into my arms, feeling terrible that he hurt her. “I’m so sorry.”
Her arms wrap around me and this time, she clings to me. Her body trembles and a sob comes from her throat.
I squeeze her a little tighter. Putting my chin on her head, I whisper, “I won’t let him hurt you again.”
What the fuck did I just say? That came out of nowhere, surprising even me.
She nods, and steps back, wiping her eyes. “Sorry about that. That was… unexpected.” She looks embarrassed.
“It’s no problem. Really.” I take a deep breath. “Are you sure you’re okay?” My eyes study her, and as her chocolate gaze moves to mine, I shove my hands in my pockets to refrain from touching her again.
She gives me a slightly watery smile. “I’m good. Thanks for asking.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, um, I should let you go.”
I slowly nod. “Yeah, I’ve gotta pick up some wings to take to my friend’s house. But Irelynn…” I pause, staring at her.
There’s a magnetism about her that draws me in. An inexplicable pull compels me to her, two forces being drawn together. A surge of happiness fills me, causing me to lose all sense of time, wanting to learn everything I possibly can about her. The urge to see her overpowers everything, and she energizes me, making me feel like I could scale a building with one hand.
At the same time, my body completely relaxes around her, like I’m lying in a hammock, lazily swaying with the afternoon breeze.
I can’t get enough of her. She completely captivates me.
But I don’t say it again. I’ve already told her she can contact me. Instead, I use humor to make her relax. “Just flex those biceps. That will scare anyone away.”
She laughs loudly, shaking her head. And damned if my heart doesn’t feel a helluva lot lighter seeing her pearly white smile, her musical laughter flowing through me.
“Yeah, I’m sure that will work.” She rolls her eyes, still chuckling.
I shrug. “I was intimidated.”
“Oh please. You were not.” She wipes her eyes, this time, from laughter. “Not at all.”
“Okay, I wasn’t. But I made you laugh.”
“Yes, Max, you did.” Her eyes soften. “Thanks for that. I needed it.”
I nod, staring at her, thinking about how damned beautiful she looks as twilight falls around her.I can’t seem to take my eyes off her.
Shaking my head, I look around, perusing the parking lot and surrounding areas one final time. To her, she probably thinks I’m checking to make sure William isn’t around.
In reality, fear is welling up inside me, because she’s making me feel things I shouldn’t. Things I have no business feeling. My heart was broken years ago, and the pieces of it still beat inside my chest, reminding me of the destruction my ex-fiancée left behind.
